I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone in order to challenge myself as well as to learn new skills. The Creative Arts & Design Professional Practicum appealed to me as I was interested in gaining international work experience during which I could learn from a different culture and incorporate these idiosyncrasies into my own artistic practice.

Q: How will the Creative Arts & Design Professional Practicum benefit or influence your future career?

This practicum will definitely benefit my future career for multiple reasons. Firstly, the contacts I have made here with regards to film-making has been incredible – I have already collaborated with a number of Indonesian artists on films. Secondly, being in Indonesia has inspired me to involve myself more in documentary film-making. Before coming to Indonesia, I only wanted to do narrative-based fiction films, but the experience of working with other documentary film-makers here in Indonesia has been very inspiring.

Q: Which organisation did you intern with? What were your roles and responsibilities?

I interned with EngageMedia. My role is to edit the footage from events and documentaries and produce short summary films for multiple organisations. I have also been co-directing a documentary about the water crisis developing in Yogyakarta due to the exponential growth of tourism development.

Q: How did you findthe work culture of your host organisation? How is it different to work experience in Australia?

The culture of my work has been fantastic! The people are very friendly and supportive. The difference between my workplace here to Australia would be that the hours have been very long. Sometimes we would sit down for the entire day, staring at a computer screen. Other than that, it has been really enjoyable!

Q: Would you like to return to work in Indonesia again in future?

Yes, definitely! I would love to return and collaborate with my new connections here.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time in Indonesia?

Myself and my roommates from ACICIS like to see and experience as much as we can once we get home from work. This often includes seeing live bands, going to cultural events, art galleries, temples, going out to dinner and meeting the locals. Most of our friendships have been made from nights like these and I always think the best way to see a city is through the locals!

Q: Favourite place to eat and favourite Indonesian food?

Milas, a vegetarian restaurant in Yogyakarta was my favourite place to eat. When it comes to food, I enjoyed lotek and, the classic, nasi goreng.

Q: Favourite Indonesian word/phrase?

Anda bercanda! (‘you’re joking’). I say this a lot at home and its very funny to say when your new Indonesian friends make a joke. They often don’t expect it because it is quite a formal way of saying ‘you’re joking’, so often it will get a lot of laughs.

Q. What places in Indonesia have you visited during your practicum so far?